So much for easing into the football season.

Those days are over.

In recent years, the Mars football team has opened the year against Pine-Richland.

It was a tough test for the Planets, playing a rival Rams team which has been very competitive in the recent past.

But with Mars and Pine-Richland in Class AA and AAA, respectively, the game's result had no bearing on the playoffs.

The Planets first opponent this season — Laurel — is a conference foe and a very good one.

"It's a huge game," said Mars coach Scott Heinauer of the implications the game could have on the Tri-County North standings all season long. "I recently talked with (Laurel coach) Jerry (Holzhauser) and both of us are not pleased with playing each other in week one."

But the schedule is what it is and when the Spartans and Planets line up at 7:30 Friday night at the Mars Athletic Complex, a mid-season feel will be in the air.

Since moving to the conference in 2004, the Planets have not had any success against Laurel.

The Spartans took the 2004 meeting 50-15 and defeated the Planets last year, 33-14.

"Laurel's got one of the best coaching staffs in the conference," said Heinauer. "Their kids are disciplined and prepared. You can see it on tape. They're not out of position and running all over the place."

Both teams made the WPIAL playoffs in 2005, only to meet with lopsided defeats in the first round.

Mars dropped a 36-7 decision to Burrell while Laurel suffered a 42-8 defeat to eventual state champion South Park.

Holzhauser is counting on senior quarterback Corey Collins to spark another playoff run.

"We lost four starters off the offensive line, but we have a lot of experience returning at the skill positions, including Corey.

Collins' athleticism is his biggest asset within Laurel's spread offense. He caught two touchdown passes as a receiver in that 2004 victory over Mars.

After making the switch to signal caller, he rushed for 96 yards and four scores in last year's game.

Those numbers helped him lead his team in rushing with 558 yards.

"He won the conference MVP award and will again be the best athlete in the conference," said Heinauer of the 6-foot-2, 206-pound quarterback.

Collins has the luxury of throwing to one of his favorite targets from a year ago, senior wide receiver Ryan Forbes, who caught 35 passes worth 528 yards and two touchdowns in 2005.

Senior running back Nate Weisenstein looks to improve on his 422 rushing yards last season.

When the Planets have the ball, Holzhauser is confident his cornerback-duo of Collins and senior Kevin Mattocks can keep D.J. Cannon and the Mars passing attack in check.

"We're hoping that the passing game won't be a huge issue," he said. "But (Cannon) is an exceptional athlete and he's got some quality receivers around him."

Entering a big conference game to open the season, Heinauer is pleased with where his team is in its preparation.

"We've got a lot of kids that are juniors or seniors," he said. "We've changed things a bit, added a few wrinkles into our game plan. But we're doing OK with that. Maybe if we had a younger team we'd be behind a bit.

"But it's still the first game of the season," Heinauer added. "Mistakes are going to be made and hopefully, the game won't be decided by one of the team's making a mistake."

<B>Friday 7:30 p.m.</B>• <B>Streak:</B> Laurel has its sights set on a third consecutive WPIAL playoff appearance.• <B>Statistic:</B> Since becoming conference opponents in 2004, Laurel has outscored Mars 43-8 in the first half.• <B>Speaking:</B> "It's still the first game of the season. Mistakes are going to be made and hopefully, the game won't be decided by one of the teams making a mistake." — Mars coach Scott Heinauer